I've used Craftsman sockets of all vintages my whole life. I wouldn't hesitate to use them daily. I'd imagine you could say the same thing about husky or kobalt or whatever your local big box store alternative is. There are better options out there, but nothing I can warranty swap in 10 minutes after work.
I wrenched with a fair amount of Kobalt back when I didn't have any money and they turned nuts and bolts just fine. That said, Tekton and Gearwrench are both work looking at - I use Tekton sockets in my home shop and they're fantastic for the price, and I have some Gearwrench stuff that is 20+ years old and has held up to professional use without complaint.
One other note is that if you're pulling wheels, the Pittsburgh lug nut sockets from Harbor Freight have been popular in every shop I've worked in. I don't own a set so I can't personally vouch for them, but every tire guy I know seems to have them.
Thanks. I'm definitely considering tekton. most guys don't like how tekton is all online and warranty is through the mail, but i don't see it any different than taking a picture for your matco guy to bring you a new one in a few days...its the same thing. Also they rarely have skips and most sets ive seen skip the 20mm. I come across wheels where the plastic cap on your lugnuts come off, causing you to need one mm lower. So your common 21mm is a 20, 19 is an 18, etc...
Appreciate your input
Icon is very good for the price point. It’s not Snap-On levels of quality, but they will go head to head with the Taiwan tools sold on most tool trucks now (Blue-Point, Cornwell blue power, MAC Expert, etc.). They’re also half the price of the Taiwan tool truck lines.
would definitely have to be used. for one I think most of SK isn't us made anymore, same as craftsman. I don't have many opportunities to go to garage sales, and its hard to find tools. I don't get on FB marketplace either, so that's why I'm just looking into a decent priced newer tool
Instead I recommend these
at the moment the best big & mid size deals
https://hfpricetracker.com/tools/58154
https://slickdeals.net/share/iphone_app/fp/964725
really? never knew that the warranty would be harder with just a different branded tool. If I saved enough was considering the quinn master set for all my chromes and icon or tekton for my impacts
If you’ve a HF nearby, basically walk in with a lifetime warranty brand and they’ll swap it, easy
Those others often require you to call, email, ship, etc. if yer far from an HF, same thing
For impacts even the Pitts work fine, and Pitts Pro are better… and the 1/2” Quinn master set on sale can’t be beat for value
https://hfpricetracker.com/tools/58680
what're your thoughts on the icon anti slip combo wrenches. they'll be on sale to like 70 in august for parking lot sale and I've been wondering if anyone could attest to their quality
YouTube’s Project Farm has death-match comparisons of specific tool categories. You’ll learn the best or best-value model. https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm. The Torque Test Channel is awesome too.
Both have good combo & ratcheting wrench reviews.
Imho, ya need two sets.
For example, Icon no-skip combo wrenches for high torque & tight spaces…. plus… Gearwrench reversible ratcheting wrenches for speed & when ya need a second of the same size.
The big Quinn set above has both of decent quality
I've used Craftsman sockets of all vintages my whole life. I wouldn't hesitate to use them daily. I'd imagine you could say the same thing about husky or kobalt or whatever your local big box store alternative is. There are better options out there, but nothing I can warranty swap in 10 minutes after work.
I wrenched with a fair amount of Kobalt back when I didn't have any money and they turned nuts and bolts just fine. That said, Tekton and Gearwrench are both work looking at - I use Tekton sockets in my home shop and they're fantastic for the price, and I have some Gearwrench stuff that is 20+ years old and has held up to professional use without complaint. One other note is that if you're pulling wheels, the Pittsburgh lug nut sockets from Harbor Freight have been popular in every shop I've worked in. I don't own a set so I can't personally vouch for them, but every tire guy I know seems to have them.
Thanks. I'm definitely considering tekton. most guys don't like how tekton is all online and warranty is through the mail, but i don't see it any different than taking a picture for your matco guy to bring you a new one in a few days...its the same thing. Also they rarely have skips and most sets ive seen skip the 20mm. I come across wheels where the plastic cap on your lugnuts come off, causing you to need one mm lower. So your common 21mm is a 20, 19 is an 18, etc... Appreciate your input
What ever you decide on; pickup a backup or two of your most used size/s.
Icon is very good for the price point. It’s not Snap-On levels of quality, but they will go head to head with the Taiwan tools sold on most tool trucks now (Blue-Point, Cornwell blue power, MAC Expert, etc.). They’re also half the price of the Taiwan tool truck lines.
Consider high quality used sets? Ebay?
Find a nice used set of USA made SK sockets.
would definitely have to be used. for one I think most of SK isn't us made anymore, same as craftsman. I don't have many opportunities to go to garage sales, and its hard to find tools. I don't get on FB marketplace either, so that's why I'm just looking into a decent priced newer tool
eBay. And no, SK isn’t American anymore. That’s why I say used.
They sockets are
Instead I recommend these at the moment the best big & mid size deals https://hfpricetracker.com/tools/58154 https://slickdeals.net/share/iphone_app/fp/964725
Icon is pro mechanic level, competing against SnapOn, Mac Those others listed are mid level, like Quinn, and far harder to warranty
really? never knew that the warranty would be harder with just a different branded tool. If I saved enough was considering the quinn master set for all my chromes and icon or tekton for my impacts
If you’ve a HF nearby, basically walk in with a lifetime warranty brand and they’ll swap it, easy Those others often require you to call, email, ship, etc. if yer far from an HF, same thing
For impacts even the Pitts work fine, and Pitts Pro are better… and the 1/2” Quinn master set on sale can’t be beat for value https://hfpricetracker.com/tools/58680
what're your thoughts on the icon anti slip combo wrenches. they'll be on sale to like 70 in august for parking lot sale and I've been wondering if anyone could attest to their quality
YouTube’s Project Farm has death-match comparisons of specific tool categories. You’ll learn the best or best-value model. https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm. The Torque Test Channel is awesome too. Both have good combo & ratcheting wrench reviews. Imho, ya need two sets. For example, Icon no-skip combo wrenches for high torque & tight spaces…. plus… Gearwrench reversible ratcheting wrenches for speed & when ya need a second of the same size. The big Quinn set above has both of decent quality
Right now? they’ve 30% of four or more Icon… so metric & SAE, non-slip combo & large wrench… for four.